FATHOM (3)

The Museum of Fine Arts Boston is one of the world’s foremost curators of the innovative and the creative. In a recent exhibit, titled “#techstyle,” the MFA is featuring high fashion pieces developed through new technologies and methods of manufacturing. Some of the pieces are comprised of never-before-used materials, others are made from fully recycled materials, a few come in advanced materials directly off a 3D printer—like designer Francis Bitonti’s “Molecule” shoes.

In a collaboration with the renowned designer, FATHOM provided the 3D printing services for this installation at MFA. The piece and exhibit were covered by a number of publications including the Wall Street Journal, Interior Design, and Boston Globe.

Each pair of the Bitonti shoes are totally unique, and “grow” from a concept created by the designer himself. Pixel by pixel, an algorithm mimics the natural growth of cells, a digital recreation of the growth process seen in nature. The shoes take on a distinctly digital yet organic appearance, a reflection of the contrasting influences of their creation.

High fashion is just one of many applications of generative and organically-based design work made possible through 3D printing as a method of manufacturing. While unique outfits and accessories do not fit our everyday lives, the science and engineering work behind these artistic creations are pushing practical applications forward.

Pioneering works by Bitonti, as well as Neri Oxman and Anouk Wipprecht to name a few, represent serious developments in material science for 3D printing—all of which they share with the world through a passion for art and high fashion. Many industry-leading companies are experimenting with generative design and the advancements are being realized in industrial design today.

Although much of FATHOM’s work using generative design is under NDA, the team has made a few stories public such as creating the East Bay EDA Innovation Awards, Designer Aaron Porterfield’s Space-Frame table, and trophies for the 2015 Make The Unmakeable Challenge.

FATHOM, an industry-leading hybridized manufacturer with an expertise in 3D printing, has broken ground on its largest expansion to date. While many futurists have over-speculated the factory of the future, FATHOM has been busy building one.

“Our customers’ needs for design freedom and faster speeds are the base of everything we do—FATHOM’s newly expanded Oakland production space is a direct result of the growing need for hybridized manufacturing-based services,” said Michelle Mihevc, FATHOM Co-Founder and Principal. “It’s gratifying to help people create products that were previously unmakeable, and we’re lucky to do that every day with innovative companies, large and small.”

Rich Stump and Mihevc started FATHOM in 2008, during a time when the manufacturing industry at large was ready for change. Despite the economic challenges of the time, Stump and Mihevc set out to change the way products are designed and manufactured by blending foundational manufacturing technologies with 3D printing and additive-based fabrication.

“FATHOM’s hybridized manufacturing approach combines the best aspects of additive and traditional manufacturing technologies,” said Stump, FATHOM Co-Founder and Principal. “Advanced prototyping, low-volume manufacturing—modern production that harnesses the latest techniques while leveraging proven methods of fabrication to create innovative products at top speed.”

FATHOM is braving the unknowns and challenging industry hype. The company’s team of experts are condensing the product development timeline, reducing total cost of project ownership, and helping companies bring paradigm-shifting products to market faster.

“2016 has been a banner year for FATHOM, and we’re thankful to Oakland and the greater Bay Area community that has continued to support us,” said Stump. “This expansion represents our commitment to hybridized manufacturing as essential to product creation. We’re not waiting for ‘the factory of the future.’ We’re making it happen, right here in Oakland.”

FATHOM’s newly expanded Oakland production center will be occupied and fully operational by the end of 2016.

FATHOM, an advanced technology driven company with an expertise in 3D printing and additive manufacturing, announced that 3D printing services for the Objet500 Connex3 are now available directly at its Seattle-based production center. This is the second Connex3 system added to the company's list of available service equipment, one of dozens available for additive manufacturing services.

Stratasys introduced the ground-breaking 3D production system at SolidWorks World in January. It is the only machine that creates brilliantly colored prototypes with a range of multi-material options including rigid, flexible, clear, and durable — all in a single build cycle.

"The Objet500 Connex3 offers the most advanced material options out of any other 3D production system in the world", said Rich Stump, Principal at FATHOM. "Users can create beautiful, and functional, 3D printed parts like never before seen. From concept models and functional prototypes to end-use parts, the application uses really are limitless."

With the system's ability to combine vivid color and multiple materials, the Objet500 Connex3 is the only 3D printer that can simulate the precise look, feel, and function of finished products — designs come to life as realistic models earlier in the design process.

"This new system not only offers the best capabilities of any other 3D printer on the market, but it allows users to blend three different materials in a single build cycle," said Dylan Oliver, Northwest General Manager, adding that the Connex3 is a great platform for future material offerings. "Stratasys has a great track record of making new materials available to customers due to their continuous efforts in composite material development."

"We strive to be our customers' preferred partner by providing best-in-class equipment, services, and support," said Oliver. FATHOM recently invested in advanced research and development capabilities to further support its customers' advanced application needs. "My team is located right in the heart of Seattle, making the latest in additive manufacturing locally available."

In January, FATHOM announced it was the first 3D printer partner of Stratasys in North America to purchase an Objet500 Connex3 and offer outsourced multi-material color 3D printing services on the West Coast from its Oakland-based production center.

For companies looking to bring this technology in-house, the industry leading system is also available for purchase from FATHOM.